Carrington West are proud to announce that, for the third year in a row, we have been shortlisted as the ‘best company to work for’ at the IRP Awards 2017 (up to 50 employees). We are delighted that, after winning this prestigious achievement last year, we have continued the trend and this has been recognised by the IRP for 2017. Carrington West is an excellent company to work for, and as always, we are on the lookout for ambitious and dedicated individuals to join various areas of the business, where your hard work is clearly recognised and rewarded. To find out more about careers within our award winning company, please contact Simon Gardiner on 02393 876020 or apply via our website: https://lnkd.in/dEsTZcs

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/15418474_1239189972813400_6575419212389889886_o.jpg13652048jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-29 15:41:112017-09-29 16:01:46Carrington West Shortlisted as 'Best Company to Work For'

‘We do not expect to return to the same pothole twice’ says highways boss following multi million pound splash out on repairs

The ‘pothole blitz’ started in April and the continuation of the project largely relies on the winter weather forecast.

Kent County Council has announced it does not expect to return to fix the same potholes once a £5.2 million investment into maintaining the county’s roads ahead of the winter months.

In April the council began a ‘pothole blitz’ which, if the weather remains good during October and November, will continue right up until Christmas.

So far this year a total of £2.7 million has been spent on patching up 66,800m2, with a total of 133,600 individual potholes being filled in on a road network of 5000 miles.

Council bosses have announced that once the repairs are made, they do not expect to return to the same pothole twice.

KCC cabinet member for highways Matthew Balfour said: “Potholes are one of the biggest bugbears for our residents and remain one of our top priorities each year.

“We’ve got local crews working on filling potholes who know their areas and this year we’ve extended the scheme up until Christmas to ensure our roads are ready for the winter months ahead.”

“People often assume these are quick and temporary fixes but I can assure you these are not. We do a quality, first time fix, and do not expect to be back out again fixing the same pothole.

“All this work isn’t to suggest we don’t need people’s help in reporting potholes. We can’t be everywhere all the time and so I’d encourage people to go online and report potholes so we can arrange for them to be filled.”

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Potholes.jpg600900jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-29 08:44:252017-09-29 08:44:25We do not expect to return to the same pothole twice’

Anglian Water is setting out its plans today for a new wetland treatment facility located next to its water recycling centre in Ingoldisthorpe.

The new one-hectare site in the village will act as an innovative, natural treatment plant for over a million litres of used water a day. Used but treated water will pass through the wetland to be further filtered and cleaned before being returned to the environment in the River Ingol.

The wetland plants work to naturally clean the water, removing ammonia and phosphate before it goes back into the river. Anglian Water’s existing treatment plants already remove the majority of these substances in line with tight environmental permits issued by the Environment Agency. The wetland will filter it further and ensure it is of an even higher standard, removing the need for expensive, high carbon treatment equipment conventionally used.

The water company said the wetland would not only have a practical purpose, it will also be a huge biodiversity asset and attract various breeding birds, amphibians, bats, water voles to the local environment.

The site will be funded by Anglian Water and created in partnership with Norfolk Rivers Trust and the Environment Agency.

The wetland site will be constructed, maintained and operated by Norfolk Rivers Trust. The Trust submitted an application for planning permission to the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council earlier this summer. Work on the site is anticipated to begin by the end of the year, with a completion date for mid-2018.

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/anglican-water-2.jpg271709jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-28 09:06:132017-09-28 09:06:13Anglian Water to set out plans new wetland water treatment facility

A temporary 40mph limit imposed on a stretch of the M32 will stay in place for three more years.

And even when it is lifted, the previous 60mph limit on the Eastville flyover will never be reinstated, for safety reasons.

A temporary 40mph limit was introduced on the motorway from north of the Eastville junction to the city centre in 2014, after the metal central reservation safety barrier was found to have suffered significant corrosion and declared unsafe for traffic travelling at 60mph.

Highways experts said the 1970s metal barrier on the flyover, which is officially named the Eastville Viaduct, had reached the end of its serviceable life. Work to replace it with a concrete one started in March and has now been completed.

But a temporary 40mph limit remains along the length of the flyover, merging with a permanent 40mph stretch where the motorway runs alongside a completed but so far unused MetroBus lane by the St Paul’s junction. Only a very short section of the inbound motorway, before the start of the flyover, now has a 60mph limit.

Highways England, which is responsible for the M32, says more work is needed to repair the parapets and other elements of the flyover.

But the work is not due to start until 2020 – and even when it is completed, the speed limit will only increase to 50mph, rather than the pre-2014 limit of 60mph, because the agency says the road does not meet current safety standards required for a modern urban motorway.

Sean Walsh, Highways England route manager for the M32, said: “We completed work earlier this year to replace the central reservation barrier of the M32 at the Eastville Viaduct. Having installed the new concrete safety barrier, we now need to look at the next stage of the phased works, to repair the bridge parapets and other elements.

“This work will be delivered from 2020.

“The M32 is in need of long-term maintenance, which is being undertaken in a series of phased works to minimise congestion and economic disruption.

“Once this repair work is undertaken, the plan is to raise the temporary speed restriction and restore a 50mph limit.”

“Once the bridge parapet repair work is completed, and the speed restriction raised, a 50mph limit will work in harmony with the other restrictions in the area, offering a stepped transition as traffic leaves/enters Bristol City Centre (from 30mph, to 40mph, to 50mph, to 70mph).”
Highway chiefs say the temporary 40mph restriction should not be confused with the 40mph speed limit installed adjacent to the new MetroBus lane on the M32 that starts just north of the Severn Beach line overbridge.

The busy commuter route, which runs right into the heart of the city, is used by tens of thousands of motorists each day.

The motorway was planned concurrently with the M4 during the 1960s and construction as far as Eastville was completed 1970.

The southernmost section, including the Eastville and St Paul’s junctions, was delayed by engineering challenges and industrial action and did not open until 1975.

Although the M32 carries less traffic than the nearby M4 and M5, it is one of the most congested motorways in the region.

In September last year, the M32 was named the second slowest motorway in the UK in a study which found drivers clock up an average speed of 26.15mph.

It stretches for just 4.4 miles, making it one of the shortest motorways in the UK.

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/M32.jpg600900jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-28 08:43:432017-09-28 08:43:4340mph limit for M32 Eastville flyover will stay for three more years

For the 4th year running staff members (Jason, Matt, Ilya and Simon) from Portsmouth based recruitment company Carrington West are braving the streets of the city to take part in the Great South Run (Sunday 22nd October). Over confidence seems to have crept in this year and as a result, the training has been ad hoc at best. Unfortunately, this will probably result in a painful experience for our runners, pain we feel should be rewarded with a donation to our page! This year we are supporting 2 great causes:The Café Project is a charity close to the hearts of Carrington West. It was unfortunately broken into recently with belognings, cash stolen and equipment damaged, so please dig deep as we try and assist them to get back on their feet. For more on the Café Project and the excellent work they do please visit: www.thecafeproject.co.uk

Our guest charity this year is the “Children’s Liver Disease Foundation” – again close to the heart of a staff member running this year. For more on this charity, please visit them at: www.childliverdisease.org

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/GSR.jpg30244032jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-27 17:10:092017-09-27 17:10:09Great South Run 2017

Irish Water is working in partnership with Louth County Council to upgrade the Staleen Water Treatment Plant and the Cavanhill Water Treatment Plant – the €24 million upgrades will ensure both plants comply with all drinking water standards.

A contract to complete the upgrades was recently signed by Irish Water and work will commence in the coming months. works The work is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete and will be carried out by Murphy Process Engineering Limited on behalf of Irish Water.

In parallel Irish Water is progressing with the design works associated with the replacement of the existing pumped supply main from Roughgrange Pumping Station on the banks of the River Boyne to Staleen Water Treatment Plant (WTP).

Staleen WTP treats and supplies water to the South Louth and East Meath Water Supply Zones (WSZ’s). Cavanhill WTP treats and supplies water to Dundalk.The South Louth and East Meath water supply zones water supplies are on the Environmental Project Agency’s (EPA’s) Remedial Action List (RAL) for exceedances of ‘trihalomethanes’ (THMs).

The project includes the following works at the respective treatment plants:

The Roughgrange Pumping Station which pumps water to the Staleen WTP and the Stephenstown Pumping Station which pumps water to the Cavanhill WTP are amongst Irish Water’s top energy users. Improvement measures have been identified to significantly improve the energy efficiency and increase resilience at these key infrastructure sites.

Commenting on the Project William McKnight, Infrastructure Regional Lead at Irish Water, said:

“The Staleen WTP is on the EPA’s RAL for exceedances of THMs. The upgrade works to the plant will enable South Louth which includes the supply to Drogheda and East Meath WSZ’s to be removed from the RAL. The upgrade at Staleen will also benefit the environment as it will improve the treatment of the existing discharges to the River Boyne and improve energy efficiency at both plants. It is a priority for Irish Water to upgrade both plants to ensure they comply with all drinking water standards.”

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/irishwater-watercharges-620x400.jpg400620jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-27 08:44:162017-09-27 08:44:16Irish Water progresses €24m upgrade at two water treatment plants

Highways England is calling for the public to their say on a new £282 million project aimed at easing congestion around one of the region’s most notorious bottlenecks.

Transport chiefs are currently investigating plans to build a 1.5-mile dual carriageway off the M42 in Solihull as part of a wider project to tackle congestion near to Birmingham Airport.

Members of the public have less than three weeks to get involved in the consultation and give their feedback before the project moves to the next design stage.

The scheme would see a link road constructed to the west of Bickenhill between the A45 Clock Interchange and a new exit on the M42 south of junction six near Solihull Road (see map below).

This new junction would allow access to the NEC and airport for vehicles travelling north only on the M42 after junction five.

There are also plans to improve traffic flow at the junction six roundabout with dedicated left turn links between the M42 and A45 at the NEC and the north east side of the roundabout.

Highways England will also be undertaking other improvement works to this roundabout, Clock Interchange and the section of the A45 between the two sites.

New local roads are also proposed around Catherine de Barnes Lane and St Peters Lane.

Junction six of the M42 is renowned for its traffic problems as it serves the airport, the NEC complex, including Resorts World and Genting Arena, and the National Motorcycle Museum as well as connecting to the A45 Coventry Road.

The high-speed rail line HS2 will also have a station when it opens in 2026 at the UK Central development nearby.

Construction is expected to start in 2020 and completion is due in 2023.

Proposals for the second phase of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme are going on show this month to communities upstream of the city centre.

The Environment Agency is holding a series of public events to set out the options to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses. The Agency has also launched an eight week consultation on the proposal which will close on 16 November.

Members of the project team will be available at the events to explain the options, answer any questions and seek views.

With the £50 million first phase of the scheme, which has introduced state-of-the-art new flood protection for the city centre, Holbeck and downstream at Woodlesford set to be completed next month, Leeds City Council working with the Environment Agency, BMM jV Limited, Thomas Mackay and Arup, have released details of the further measures required for phase two.

The proposals for phase two represent the outcome of an extensive survey and feasibility study of the river catchment carried out by Leeds City Council and the Environment Agency following the devastating impact of Storm Eva at Christmas 2015.

They include measures further upstream including the Kirkstall corridor which was badly hit by the floods as well as Stourton, an industrial area that was badly affected on Boxing Day 2015.

Phase two will also look at areas beyond the city boundary to further reduce the possibility of the river flooding in Leeds, as well as additional measures to offer protection for the South Bank area of the city centre which is a key future economic driver for Leeds. The range of measures proposed are a mixture of natural flood management and new infrastructure including:

Creating new woodland areas by planting hundreds of thousands of tree saplings

Where possible, using sites in Leeds to retain flood waters when levels are high. Control gates would be used to fill and then release water from the stores back into river when safe to do so.

A new 700-metre long flood defence at Stourton with new walls and surface water interventions similar to those installed at Woodlesford as part of phase one.

Constructing raised defences along with landscaping, terracing, embankments and walls

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said:

“The response to these plans when they were released last week was very positive, especially the use of new trees and natural flood management measures along the catchment to help provide essential protection for communities in Leeds.

“Following an extensive study agreed with the government and other agencies these are the measures identified as being necessary to offer the level of protection needed which the government said it would provide, so we look forward to seeing these plans develop as soon as possible.”

The impact of Storm Eva in Leeds at Christmas 2015 affected 3,355 properties in Leeds, of which 672 were commercial businesses. The direct cost to the city was an estimated £36.8 million, with the cost to the wider city region being more than £500 million. Following the flooding in December 2015, the government committed £35 million between now and 2021 to a new scheme to further enhance flood protection in Leeds.

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/97785616_kirkstall.jpg371660jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-26 08:49:392017-09-26 08:49:39Phase two plans of £50m Leeds flood defence to go on show

Jersey is struggling to keep up with the rate at which roads are deteriorating, according to the Island’s highway maintenance manager, who has launched a staunch defence of a controversial cut-price road surface.

The highway maintenance division of the Infrastructure Department has had its budget cut by about a quarter this year from £3 million to about £2.3 million.

The department bore the brunt of cost-cutting initiatives in the most recent Medium Term Financial Plan, which sets States spending until 2019.

Andy Downie, manager of highway maintenance, said his team were having to look for alternatives to traditional asphalt to keep roads in a drivable condition.

‘We are not keeping up with the rate that roads are degrading at at the moment. We need to have more money to keep up with it,’ he said.

Recently, the department completed the resurfacing of a one-mile stretch along Route d’Ebenezer in Trinity.

Instead of using asphalt, a UK company called Eurovia won a tendering process to lay a ‘micro-asphalt’ surface called Gripfibre.

The road was resurfaced in two weeks and it cost a ‘third of the price’ of traditional methods, Mr Downie said.

He added that if the department had used normal asphalt, the programme would have taken six weeks. The department would not disclose a figure for the cost of the work, as they say it was ‘commercially sensitive’.

Micro-asphalt has a life expectancy of between ten and 15 years, while traditional asphalt lasts anywhere from 15 to 20 years.

And the alternative road surface has already been used in three other locations in Jersey: Mont Mado in St John, Mont Cochon and on Green Road in St Clement.

However, some Islanders have reacted angrily to the new surface – which is sprayed on over the top of existing asphalt.

Writing on social media one complainant said it ‘looks cheap, unfinished and feels terrible’. Others have claimed there is a drop between the road surface and areas around manhole covers.

The department say that the surface ‘provides great skid resistance’ and will ‘smooth out over time’. Mr Downie added that areas around manhole covers had been laid correctly.

He also said that if they did not use the surface, roads such as Route d’Ebenezer, which are not a high resurfacing priority, would likely be ignored.

‘We have to prioritise roads on what their condition is and what their importance is to the road network. If we didn’t use this product we may not have got round to it.

‘It is called preventative maintenance. It extends the life of a road surface and it saves us cash, which gives us a bigger budget for the more important roads.’

Asked if the motorists were going to see more micro-asphalt used in the Island, Mr Downie said: ‘Yes, we will use more of it going forward.

‘We have signed a contract with Eurovia for the next three years, and there is an option for an extra two years.’

Traditional asphalt will still be used on high-priority roads. So far this year 3.8 km of roads have been resurfaced using asphalt and 1.8 km using micro-asphalt.

World leading post graduate Cranfield University is planning to build a Clean Water Pilot hall to extend its research capability on sewage.

The new ‘Clean’ Pilot Hall building will give the Water Science Department greater capacity for research on treated sewage and will link with the ‘Dirty’ Pilot Hall where the research concentrates more on the raw sewage.

The funding for the scheme is from UKCRIC funding – planned completion date is the end of June 2018 with researchers moving in from August 2018.

The outline design proposals were submitted for planning approval on 12th July and approval is anticipated by the end of October 2017.

The project is among a number of state-of-the-art new facilities to upgrade the nation’s infrastructure which will be created at 11 universities as part of the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC).

UKCRIC will be established at 14 universities to conduct world-leading research through a network of experimental facilities and urban laboratories.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has supported the establishment of UKCRIC with an investment of £125 million – a total of more than £216.6 million is being invested in the new facilities by EPSRC and partner organisations. Government support for UKCRIC was first announced in the 2015 Budget.

Estimated date for the publication of the contract notice inviting tenders for the work is 23rd October 2017.

https://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Cranfield_Water_Hub.jpg428626jamesfernandeshttp://www.carringtonwest.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/carrington-blue.pngjamesfernandes2017-09-25 08:58:232017-09-25 08:58:23Cranfield University plans new £1.2m water research facility